Nov 23, 2016

Avoiding Grouting Mistakes with Essential Grouting Tips

Experiencing
grouting mistakes may happen from time to time. Mistakes make us human.
Fortunately, these common mistakes can be avoided if you learn about essential
grouting tips as well as the basics of tile grouting. Here are some helpful
tips that you can follow when you are grouting your tiles. If you will follow
these tips, you can be sure that your grout is durable and strong.

image:guruforgroutsealing.com

·As much as you can
only utilize a grout that is cement-based and make sure this grout mixes well
with water.

In many home improvement stores, there are
a number of premixed brands that you can choose from. However, most pre-mixed
brands may not last as long as epoxy tile grout. In addition,
when cured, pre-mixed brands are extremely tough to maintain as well as clean.
These pre-mixed brands are not cement-based since cement sets over time. In
this case, pre-mix grout manufacturers use latex adhesives as well as other
kinds of substances so the grout would adhere to your tiles and also harden
through time.

The downside – products that are
latex-based will soon break apart and are very weak to the point of dissolving
when cleaning products containing alkaline is used. Products, which are
latex-based, are not a good match with environments that are frequently being
wet as molds can grow in them in just very short time. Though cement-based
grouts can be porous and may need further protection such as grout sealers,
they will not be growing molds like latex-based brands.

It is important that you completely remove
any dirt or excess thin set, which has gotten on your tile surface before you
proceed with grouting. In addition, all of the tile spacers must be all removed
prior to grouting. It is not true that you can actually leave the tile spacers
and just apply grout over them – that is a myth. If you do, a thin weak layer
will be formed over the tile spacers and this layer will just easily break
apart as well as crack later on.

·Decide whether it
is proper for you to utilize sanded or unsanded grout.

There is a basic rule that will help you
decide on this. Remember that if you are grouting larger joints – about 1/8 of
an inch – you should always use the sanded type of grout. However, when joints
are less than 1/8 of an inch thin, you should use unsanded grout.

With sanded grout, the sand filler can help
in strengthening the grout as well as look good versus using the unsanded
version. If you are faced with the dilemma of having to choose between the two
due to having grout space of exactly or slightly thinner than 1/8 of an inch,
you must go with the sanded version.